Anti-viral drugs for treatment of arenavirus infection

ABSTRACT

Compounds, methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating viral infections, by administering certain novel compounds in therapeutically effective amounts are disclosed. Methods for preparing the compounds and methods of using the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are also disclosed. In particular, the treatment and prophylaxis of viral infections such as caused by hemorrhagic fever viruses is disclosed, i.e., including but not limited to, Arenaviridae (Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Lassa, Tacaribe, Pichinde, and LCMV), Filoviridae (Ebola and Marburg viruses), Flaviviridae (yellow fever, Omsk hemorrhagic fever and Kyasanur Forest disease viruses), and Bunyaviridae (Rift Valley fever).

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/712,918filed Mar. 2, 2007, which claims priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/778,107, filed Mar. 2, 2006, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with U.S. government support under Grant No.7R43 AI056525 awarded by the National Institute of Health (NIH). TheU.S. Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD

The use of benzimidazole derivatives and analogs, as well ascompositions containing the same, for the treatment or prophylaxis ofviral diseases associated with the arenavirus family such as Lassafever, Argentine hemorrhagic fever, Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, andVenezuelan hemorrhagic fever.

BACKGROUND

Viral hemorrhagic fever is a serious illness characterized by extensivevascular damage and bleeding diathesis, fever, and multiple organinvolvement. Many different viruses can cause this syndrome, each withits own animal reservoir, mode of transmission, fatality rate, andclinical outcome in humans. These viruses are distributed throughoutfour virus families, the Arenaviridae, Bunyaviridae, Filoviridae, andFlaviviridae. Several of these viruses generate significant morbidityand mortality and can be highly infectious by aerosol dissemination,promoting concern about weaponization. In 1999, the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC) identified and categorized potentialbiological terrorism agents as part of a Congressional initiative toupgrade bioterrorism response capabilities. Filoviruses and arenaviruseswere designated as Category A, defined as those pathogens with thehighest potential impact on public health and safety, potential forlarge-scale dissemination, capability for civil disruption, and greatestunmet need for public health preparedness. The National Institute ofAllergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has since expanded the CategoryA list by adding several hemorrhagic bunyaviruses and flaviviruses. Inaddition, the Working Group on Civilian Biodefense described severalhemorrhagic fever viruses, including Lassa, as those with the greatestrisk for use as biological weapons and recommended the pursuit of newantiviral therapies.

Prevention and treatment options for hemorrhagic fever viruses arelimited. With the exception of an effective vaccine for yellow fever, nolicensed vaccines or FDA-approved antiviral drugs are available.Intravenous ribavirin has been used with some success to treatarenaviruses and bunyaviruses, although its use has significantlimitations (see below). In addition, there have been recent reports ofpromising vaccines for Ebola and Lassa. Although a successful vaccinecould be a critical component of an effective biodefense, the typicaldelay to onset of immunity, potential side-effects, cost, and logisticsassociated with large-scale civilian vaccinations against a low-riskthreat agent suggest that a comprehensive biodefense include a separaterapid-response element. Thus there remains an urgent need to developsafe and effective products to protect against potential biologicalattack.

Lassa fever virus is a member of the Arenaviridae family, a family ofenveloped RNA viruses. Arenavirus infection in rodents, the natural hostanimal, is usually chronic and asymptomatic. Several arenaviruses cancause severe hemorrhagic fever in humans, including Lassa, Machupo,Guanarito, and Junin viruses. Transmission to humans can result fromdirect contact with infected rodents or their habitat, throughaerosolized rodent secretions, or through contact with the body fluidsof an infected person. Although arenaviruses are found world-wide, mostof the viral species are geographically localized to a particularregion, reflecting the range of the specific rodent host involved. TheArenaviridae family contains a single genus (Arenavirus) that is dividedinto two major lineages based on phylogenetic and serologicalexamination. Lassa fever is a member of the Old World arenaviruses; theNew World arenaviruses can be further divided into three clades (A-C),one of which (lade B) contains several of the pathogenic, Category Ahemorrhagic fever viruses.

Lassa fever is endemic in West Africa, particularly the countries ofGuinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. Human infections areestimated at 100,000 to 500,000 per year. Initial symptoms of Lassafever appear about 10 days after exposure, and include fever, sorethroat, chest and back pain, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, conjunctivitis,facial swelling, proteinuria, and mucosal bleeding. Clinical diagnosisis often difficult due to the nonspecific nature of the symptoms. Infatal cases, continuing progression of symptoms leads to the onset ofshock. Among hospitalized patients, the mortality rate is 15-20%,although the fatality rate for some outbreaks has been reported higherthan 50%. Infectious virus can remain in the bodily fluids ofconvalescent patients for several weeks. Transient or permanent deafnessis common in survivors and appears to be just as frequent in mild orasymptomatic cases as it is in severe cases. Lassa fever is occasionallyimported into Europe and the U.S., most recently in 2004. The risk ofthe virus becoming endemic outside of West Africa appears low due to thenature of the rodent host. However, the combination of increased worldtravel and viral adaptation presents a finite possibility of a virus“jumping” into a new ecosystem. For example, West Nile virus wasintroduced into the New York City area in 1999 and is now endemic in theU.S.

A small trial conducted in Sierra Leone in the 1980s demonstrated thatmortality from Lassa fever can be reduced in high-risk patients bytreatment with intravenous ribavirin, a nucleoside analog that exhibitsnonspecific antiviral activity. Ribavirin has been shown to inhibitLassa fever viral RNA synthesis in vitro. Although of limitedavailability, intravenous ribavirin is available for compassionate useunder an investigational new drug protocol. It is also available in oralform for treating hepatitis C (in combination with interferon), althoughless is known about the efficacy of orally-administered ribavirin fortreating Lassa fever. As a nucleoside analog, ribavirin can interferewith DNA and RNA replication, and in fact teratogenicity and embryolethality have been seen in several animal species. It is thereforecontraindicated for pregnant patients (a pregnancy category X drug). Inaddition, it is associated with a dose-related hemolytic anemia;although the anemia is reversible, anemia-associated cardiac andpulmonary events occur in approximately 10% of hepatitis C patientsreceiving ribavirin-interferon therapy. Intravenous ribavirin isexpensive, and daily I.V. administration to a large civilian populationin an emergency would be a cumbersome approach. It is possible thatfurther study may eventually support the use of oral interferon, eitheralone or in combination with other antivirals, for treatment of Lassafever. Successful antiviral therapy often involves administering acombination of pharmaceuticals, such as the treatment of chronichepatitis C with interferon and ribavirin, and treatment of AIDS withhighly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), a cocktail of threedifferent drugs. Because of the high mutation rate and the quasispeciesnature associated with viruses, treatment with compounds that act onmultiple, distinct targets can be more successful than treatment with asingle drug.

The arenavirus genome consists of two segments of single-stranded RNA,each of which codes for two genes in opposite orientations (referred toas ambisense). The larger of the two segments, the L RNA (7.2 kb),encodes the L and Z proteins. The L protein is the RNA-dependent RNApolymerase, and the Z protein is a small zinc-binding RING fingerprotein which is involved in virus budding. The S RNA (3.4 kb) encodesthe nucleoprotein (NP) and the envelope glycoprotein precursor (GPC).

The envelope glycoprotein is embedded in the lipid bilayer thatsurrounds the viral nucleocapsid. The characteristics of the arenavirusglycoprotein suggest that it can be classified as a Type I envelope,which is typified by influenza hemagglutinin and found also inretroviruses, paramyxoviruses, coronaviruses, and filoviruses. Type Ienvelopes function both to attach the virus to specific host cellreceptors and also to mediate fusion of the viral membrane with the hostmembrane, thereby depositing the viral genome inside the target cell.Cotranslational translocation of the envelope protein across themembrane of the endoplasmic reticulum is facilitated by an N-terminalsignal peptide that is subsequently removed by a signal peptidase.Post-translational proteolysis further processes the envelope into anN-terminal subunit (denoted GP1 for arenaviruses), which contains thereceptor binding determinants, and a C-terminal transmembrane subunit(GP2), which is capable of undergoing the dramatic conformationalrearrangements that are associated with membrane fusion. The twosubunits remain associated with one another and assemble into trimericcomplexes of this heterodimer, although arenavirus envelopeglycoproteins have been reported to have a tetrameric structure. Matureenvelope glycoproteins accumulate at the site of viral budding, such asthe plasma membrane, and thus are embedded within the envelope that thevirus acquires as viral budding occurs.

The signal peptide of the arenavirus glycoprotein is quite unusual; at58 amino acids in length, it is larger than most signal peptides. Inaddition, it remains associated with the envelope and with maturevirions, and appears to be important for the subsequent GP1-GP2processing. This processing is essential for envelope function and ismediated by the cellular subtilase SKI-1/S1P. The envelope glycoproteininteracts directly with the host cellular receptor to facilitate viralentry into the target cell. The receptor for Old World arenaviruses isα-dystroglycan, a major component of the dystrophin glycoproteincomplex. The New World arenaviruses appear to have diverged from thisreceptor, as only the clade C viruses use α-dystroglycan as a majorreceptor. The receptor for the New World clades A and B arenaviruses hasnot yet been identified.

What is needed in the art are new therapies and preventives for thetreatment of viral infections and associated diseases, such as caused byhemorrhagic fever viruses like Arenaviruses.

The following publications represent the state of the art. They areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

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SUMMARY

Provided are compounds and compositions and/or methods for the treatmentand prophylaxis of viral infections, as well as diseases associated withviral infections in living hosts. In particular, provided are compoundsand compositions and/or methods for the treatment and prophylaxis ofhemorrhagic fever viruses, such as Arenaviruses.

In an embodiment, a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a viralinfection or disease associated therewith, comprising administering in atherapeutically effective amount to a mammal in need thereof, a compoundof Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided.In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition that comprises apharmaceutically-effective amount of the compound or apharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, and apharmaceutically-acceptable carrier is provided. In addition, compoundsof Formula I, as well as pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof areprovided.

The compounds of Formula I are of the following general formula:

-   Wherein R¹ and R² are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl,    alkynyl, cycloalkyl, arylalkyl, aryl, acyl, arylacyl, hydroxy,    alkyloxy, alkylthio, amino, alkylamino, acetamido, halogen, cyano or    nitro;-   R³ is hydrogen, acyl, arylacyl or sulfonyl; and-   Ar¹ and Ar² are independently (un)substituted aryl or heteroaryl

In an embodiment, the mammal being treated is a human. In particularembodiments, the viral infection being treated is a hemorrhagic fevervirus, such as an Arenavirus. The Arenavirus may be selected from thegroup consisting of Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Lassa, Tacaribe,and Pichinde.

Details of methods and formulations are more fully described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Compounds which are useful for the treatment and prophylaxis of viralinfections, particularly arenaviral infections, including diseasesassociated with arenaviral infections in living hosts, are provided. Inparticular, provided are compounds and compositions and/or methods forthe treatment and prophylaxis of hemorrhagic fever viruses, such asArenaviruses. However, prior to providing further detail, the followingterms will first be defined.

Definitions

In accordance with this detailed description, the followingabbreviations and definitions apply. It must be noted that as usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for theirdisclosure. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission regardingantedating the publications. Further, the dates of publication providedmay be different from the actual publication dates, which may need to beindependently confirmed.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that eachintervening value is encompassed. The upper and lower limits of thesesmaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller, subject toany specifically-excluded limit in the stated range. Where the statedrange includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either bothof those included limits are also included in the invention. Alsocontemplated are any values that fall within the cited ranges.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art. Any methods and materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein can also be used in practice or testing. Allpublications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference todisclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection withwhich the publications are cited.

By “patient” or “subject” is meant to include any mammal. A “mammal,”for purposes of treatment, refers to any animal classified as a mammal,including but not limited to, humans, experimental animals includingrats, mice, and guinea pigs, domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports,or pet animals, such as dogs, horses, cats, cows, and the like.

The term “efficacy” as used herein in the context of a chronic dosageregime refers to the effectiveness of a particular treatment regime.Efficacy can be measured based on change of the course of the disease inresponse to an agent.

The term “success” as used herein in the context of a chronic treatmentregime refers to the effectiveness of a particular treatment regime.This includes a balance of efficacy, toxicity (e.g., side effects andpatient tolerance of a formulation or dosage unit), patient compliance,and the like. For a chronic administration regime to be considered“successful” it must balance different aspects of patient care andefficacy to produce a favorable patient outcome.

The terms “treating,” “treatment,” and the like are used herein to referto obtaining a desired pharmacological and physiological effect. Theeffect may be prophylactic in terms of preventing or partiallypreventing a disease, symptom, or condition thereof and/or may betherapeutic in terms of a partial or complete cure of a disease,condition, symptom, or adverse effect attributed to the disease. Theterm “treatment,” as used herein, covers any treatment of a disease in amammal, such as a human, and includes: (a) preventing the disease fromoccurring in a subject which may be predisposed to the disease but hasnot yet been diagnosed as having it, i.e., causing the clinical symptomsof the disease not to develop in a subject that may be predisposed tothe disease but does not yet experience or display symptoms of thedisease; (b) inhibiting the disease, i.e., arresting or reducing thedevelopment of the disease or its clinical symptoms; and (c) relievingthe disease, i.e., causing regression of the disease and/or its symptomsor conditions. Treating a patient's suffering from disease related topathological inflammation is contemplated. Preventing, inhibiting, orrelieving adverse effects attributed to pathological inflammation overlong periods of time and/or are such caused by the physiologicalresponses to inappropriate inflammation present in a biological systemover long periods of time are also contemplated.

As used herein, “acyl” refers to the groups H—C(O)—, alkyl-C(O)—,substituted alkyl-C(O)—, alkenyl-C(O)—, substituted alkenyl-C(O)—,alkynyl-C(O)—, substituted alkynyl-C(O)-cycloalkyl-C(O)—, substitutedcycloalkyl-C(O)—, aryl-C(O)—, substituted aryl-C(O)—, heteroaryl-C(O)—,substituted heteroaryl-C(O), heterocyclic-C(O)—, and substitutedheterocyclic-C(O)— wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic are as definedherein.

“Alkylamino” refers to the group —NRR where each R is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substitutedalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl,substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heteroaryl,substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic and whereeach R is joined to form together with the nitrogen atom a heterocyclicor substituted heterocyclic ring wherein alkyl, substituted alkyl,alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, cycloalkyl,substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic are as definedherein.

“Alkenyl” refers to alkenyl group preferably having from 2 to 10 carbonatoms and more preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having at least 1 andpreferably from 1-2 sites of alkenyl unsaturation.

“Alkoxy” refers to the group “alkyl-O—” which includes, by way ofexample, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, tert-butoxy,sec-butoxy, n-pentoxy, n-hexoxy, 1,2-dimethylbutoxy, and the like.

“Alkyl” refers to linear or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 10carbon atoms, alternatively 1 to 6 carbon atoms. This term isexemplified by groups such as methyl, t-butyl, n-heptyl, octyl and thelike.

“Amino” refers to the group —NH₂.

“Aryl” or “Ar” refers to an unsaturated aromatic carbocyclic group offrom 6 to 14 carbon atoms having a single ring (e.g., phenyl) ormultiple condensed rings (e.g., naphthyl or anthryl) which condensedrings may or may not be aromatic (e.g., 2-benzoxazolinone,2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one-7yl, and the like) provided that the pointof attachment is through an aromatic ring atom.

“Substituted aryl” refers to aryl groups which are substituted with from1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, acyl,acylamino, thiocarbonylamino, acyloxy, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy,substituted alkoxy, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, amidino, alkylamidino, thioamidino, amino, aminoacyl,aminocarbonyloxy, aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aryl,substituted aryl, aryloxy, substituted aryloxy, cycloalkoxy, substitutedcycloalkoxy, heteroaryloxy, substituted heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyloxy,substituted heterocyclyloxy, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl,carboxyl-substituted alkyl, carboxyl-cycloalkyl, carboxyl-substitutedcycloalkyl, carboxylaryl, carboxyl-substituted aryl, carboxylheteroaryl,carboxyl-substituted heteroaryl, carboxylheterocyclic,carboxyl-substituted heterocyclic, carboxylamido, cyano, thiol,thioalkyl, substituted thioalkyl, thioaryl, substituted thioaryl,thioheteroaryl, substituted thioheteroaryl, thiocycloalkyl, substitutedthiocycloalkyl, thioheterocyclic, substituted thioheterocyclic,cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, guanidino, guanidinosulfone, halo,nitro, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, substitutedheterocyclic, cycloalkoxy, substituted cycloalkoxy, heteroaryloxy,substituted heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyloxy, substituted heterocyclyloxy,oxycarbonylamino, oxythiocarbonylamino, —S(O)₂-alkyl, —S(O)₂-substitutedalkyl, —S(O)₂-cycloalkyl, —S(O)₂-substituted cycloalkyl, —S(O)₂alkenyl,—S(O)₂-substituted alkenyl, —S(O)₂-aryl, —S(O)₂-substituted aryl,—S(O)₂-heteroaryl, —S(O)₂-substituted heteroaryl, —S(O)₂-heterocyclic,—S(O)₂-substituted heterocyclic, —OS(O)₂alkyl, —OS(O)₂-substitutedalkyl, —OS(O)₂-aryl, —OS(O)₂-substituted aryl, —OS(O)₂-heteroaryl,—OS(O)₂substituted heteroaryl, —OS(O)₂heterocyclic, —OS(O)₂-substitutedheterocyclic, —OS(O)₂—NRR where R is hydrogen or alkyl, —NRS(O)₂-alkyl,—NRS(O)₂-substituted alkyl, —NRS(O)₂-aryl, —NRS(O)₂-substituted aryl,—NRS(O)₂-heteroaryl, —NRS(O)₂-substituted heteroaryl,—NRS(O)₂heterocyclic, —NRS(O)₂-substituted heterocyclic,—NRS(O)₂—NR-alkyl, —NRS(O)₂—NR-substituted alkyl, —NRS(O)₂—NR-aryl,—NRS(O)₂—NR-substituted aryl, —NRS(O)₂—NR-heteroaryl,—NRS(O)₂—NR-substituted heteroaryl, —NRS(O)₂—NR-heterocyclic,—NRS(O)₂NR-substituted heterocyclic where R is hydrogen or alkyl, mono-and di-alkylamino, mono- and di-(substituted alkyl)amino, mono- anddi-arylamino, mono- and di-substituted arylamino, mono- anddi-heteroarylamino, mono- and di-substituted heteroarylamino, mono- anddi-heterocyclic amino, mono- and di-substituted heterocyclic amino,unsymmetric di-substituted amines having different substituentsindependently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substitutedalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl,heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic and amino groups on thesubstituted aryl blocked by conventional blocking groups such as Boc,Cbz, formyl, and the like or substituted with —SO₂NRR where R ishydrogen or alkyl.

“Cycloalkyl” refers to cyclic alkyl groups of from 3 to 8 carbon atomshaving a single cyclic ring including, by way of example, cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclooctyl and the like. Excludedfrom this definition are multi-ring alkyl groups such as adamantanyl,etc.

“Halo” or “halogen” refers to fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

“Heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic carbocyclic group of from 2 to 10carbon atoms and 1 to 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consistingof oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur within the ring or oxides thereof. Suchheteroaryl groups can have a single ring (e.g., pyridyl or furyl) ormultiple condensed rings (e.g., indolizinyl or benzothienyl) wherein oneor more of the condensed rings may or may not be aromatic provided thatthe point of attachment is through an aromatic ring atom. Additionally,the heteroatoms of the heteroaryl group may be oxidized, i.e., to formpyridine N-oxides or 1,1-dioxo-1,2,5-thiadiazoles and the like.Additionally, the carbon atoms of the ring may be substituted with anoxo (═O). The term “heteroaryl having two nitrogen atoms in theheteroaryl ring” refers to a heteroaryl group having two, and only two,nitrogen atoms in the heteroaryl ring and optionally containing 1 or 2other heteroatoms in the heteroaryl ring, such as oxygen or sulfur.

“Substituted heteroaryl” refers to heteroaryl groups which aresubstituted with from 1 to 3 substituents selected from the groupconsisting of hydroxy, acyl, acylamino, thiocarbonylamino, acyloxy,alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkoxy, substituted alkoxy, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, amidino,alkylamidino, thioamidino, amino, aminoacyl, aminocarbonyloxy,aminocarbonylamino, aminothiocarbonylamino, aryl, substituted aryl,aryloxy, substituted aryloxy, cycloalkoxy, substituted cycloalkoxy,heteroaryloxy, substituted heteroaryloxy, heterocyclyloxy, substitutedheterocyclyloxy, carboxyl, carboxylalkyl, carboxyl-substituted alkyl,carboxyl-cycloalkyl, carboxyl-substituted cycloalkyl, carboxylaryl,carboxyl-substituted aryl, carboxylheteroaryl, carboxyl-substitutedheteroaryl, carboxylheterocyclic, carboxyl-substituted heterocyclic,carboxylamido, cyano, thiol, thioalkyl, substituted thioalkyl, thioaryl,substituted thioaryl, thioheteroaryl, substituted thioheteroaryl,thiocycloalkyl, substituted thiocycloalkyl, thioheterocyclic,substituted thioheterocyclic, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,guanidino, guanidinosulfone, halo, nitro, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, cycloalkoxy,substituted cycloalkoxy, heteroaryloxy, substituted heteroaryloxy,heterocyclyloxy, substituted heterocyclyloxy, oxycarbonylamino,oxythiocarbonylamino, —S(O)₂alkyl, —S(O)₂-substituted alkyl,—S(O)₂cycloalkyl, —S(O)₂substituted cycloalkyl, —S(O)₂-alkenyl,—S(O)₂-substituted alkenyl, —S(O)₂-aryl, —S(O)₂-substituted aryl,—S(O)₂heteroaryl, —S(O)₂-substituted heteroaryl, —S(O)₂heterocyclic,—S(O)₂substituted heterocyclic, —OS(O)₂-alkyl, —OS(O)₂-substitutedalkyl, —OS(O)₂-aryl, —OS(O)₂-substituted aryl, —OS(O)₂-heteroaryl,—OS(O)₂substituted heteroaryl, —OS(O)₂-heterocyclic, —OS(O)₂-substitutedheterocyclic, —OS(O)₂—NRR where R is hydrogen or alkyl, —NRS(O)₂alkyl,—NRS(O)₂-substituted alkyl, —NRS(O)₂-aryl, —NRS(O)₂-substituted aryl,—NRS(O)₂-heteroaryl, —NRS(O)₂-substituted heteroaryl,—NRS(O)₂-heterocyclic, —NRS(O)₂-substituted heterocyclic,—NRS(O)₂NR-alkyl, —NRS(O)₂NR-substituted alkyl, —NRS(O)₂—NR-aryl,—NRS(O)₂—NR-substituted aryl, —NRS(O)₂—NR-heteroaryl,—NRS(O)₂—NR-substituted heteroaryl, —NRS(O)₂NR-heterocyclic,—NRS(O)₂—NR-substituted heterocyclic where R is hydrogen or alkyl, mono-and di-alkylamino, mono- and di-(substituted alkylamino, mono- anddi-arylamino, mono- and di-substituted arylamino, mono- anddi-heteroarylamino, mono- and di-substituted heteroarylamino, mono- anddi-heterocyclic amino, mono- and di-substituted heterocyclic amino,unsymmetric di-substituted amines having different substituentsindependently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substitutedalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl,heterocyclic and substituted heterocyclic and amino groups on thesubstituted aryl blocked by conventional blocking groups such as Boc,Cbz, formyl, and the like or substituted with —SO₂NRR where R ishydrogen or alkyl.

“Sulfonyl” refers to the group —S(O)₂R where R is selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl,substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, substitutedaryl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, substitutedheteroaryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic wherein alkyl,substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substitutedalkynyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, aryl, substituted aryl,heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic and substitutedheterocyclic are as defined herein.

“Optionally substituted” means that the recited group may beunsubstituted or the recited group may be substituted.

“Pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier” means a carrier that is useful inpreparing a pharmaceutical composition or formulation that is generallysafe, non-toxic, and neither biologically nor otherwise undesirable, andincludes a carrier that is acceptable for veterinary use as well ashuman pharmaceutical use. A pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier orexcipient includes both one or more than one of such carriers.

“Pharmaceutically-acceptable cation” refers to the cation of apharmaceutically-acceptable salt.

“Pharmaceutically-acceptable salt” refers to salts which retain thebiological effectiveness and properties of compounds which are notbiologically or otherwise undesirable. Pharmaceutically-acceptable saltsrefer to pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of the compounds, which saltsare derived from a variety of organic and inorganic counter ions wellknown in the art and include, by way of example only, sodium, potassium,calcium, magnesium, ammonium, tetraalkylammonium, and the like; and whenthe molecule contains a basic functionality, salts of organic orinorganic acids, such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, tartrate,mesylate, acetate, maleate, oxalate and the like.

Pharmaceutically-acceptable base addition salts can be prepared frominorganic and organic bases. Salts derived from inorganic bases, includeby way of example only, sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calciumand magnesium salts. Salts derived from organic bases include, but arenot limited to, salts of primary, secondary and tertiary amines, such asalkyl amines, dialkyl amines, trialkyl amines, substituted alkyl amines,di(substituted alkyl) amines, tri(substituted alkyl) amines, alkenylamines, dialkenyl amines, trialkenyl amines, substituted alkenyl amines,di(substituted alkenyl) amines, tri(substituted alkenyl) amines,cycloalkyl amines, di(cycloalkyl) amines, tri(cycloalkyl) amines,substituted cycloalkyl amines, disubstituted cycloalkyl amine,trisubstituted cycloalkyl amines, cycloalkenyl amines, di(cycloalkenyl)amines, tri(cycloalkenyl) amines, substituted cycloalkenyl amines,disubstituted cycloalkenyl amine, trisubstituted cycloalkenyl amines,aryl amines, diaryl amines, triaryl amines, heteroaryl amines,diheteroaryl amines, triheteroaryl amines, heterocyclic amines,diheterocyclic amines, triheterocyclic amines, mixed di- and tri-amineswhere at least two of the substituents on the amine are different andare selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl,alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl,cycloalkenyl, substituted cycloalkenyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic,and the like. Also included are amines where the two or threesubstituents, together with the amino nitrogen, form a heterocyclic orheteroaryl group.

Examples of suitable amines include, by way of example only,isopropylamine, trimethyl amine, diethyl amine, tri(iso-propyl) amine,tri(n-propyl) amine, ethanolamine, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, tromethamine,lysine, arginine, histidine, caffeine, procaine, hydrabamine, choline,betaine, ethylenediamine, glucosamine, N-alkylglucamines, theobromine,purines, piperazine, piperidine, morpholine, N-ethylpiperidine, and thelike: It should also be understood that other carboxylic acidderivatives would be useful, for example, carboxylic acid amides,including carboxamides, lower alkyl carboxamides, dialkyl carboxamides,and the like.

Pharmaceutically-acceptable acid addition salts may be prepared frominorganic and organic acids. Salts derived from inorganic acids includehydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid,phosphoric acid, and the like. Salts derived from organic acids includeacetic acid, propionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid,malic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid,tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid,methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, p-toluene-sulfonic acid,salicylic acid, and the like.

A compound may act as a pro-drug. Pro-drug means any compound whichreleases an active parent drug in vivo when such pro-drug isadministered to a mammalian subject. Pro-drugs are prepared by modifyingfunctional groups present in such a way that the modifications may becleaved in vivo to release the parent compound. Prodrugs includecompounds wherein a hydroxy, amino, or sulfhydryl group is bonded to anygroup that may be cleaved in vivo to regenerate the free hydroxyl,amino, or sulfhydryl group, respectively. Examples of prodrugs include,but are not limited to esters (e.g., acetate, formate, and benzoatederivatives), carbamates (e.g., N,N-dimethylamino-carbonyl) of hydroxyfunctional groups, and the like.

“Treating” or “treatment” of a disease includes:

-   -   (1) preventing the disease, i.e. causing the clinical symptoms        of the disease not to develop in a mammal that may be exposed to        or predisposed to the disease but does not yet experience or        display symptoms of the disease,    -   (2) inhibiting the disease, i.e., arresting or reducing the        development of the disease or its clinical symptoms, or    -   (3) relieving the disease, i.e., causing regression of the        disease or its clinical symptoms.

A “therapeutically-effective amount” means the amount of a compound orantibody that, when administered to a mammal for treating a disease, issufficient to effect such treatment for the disease. The“therapeutically-effective amount” will vary depending on the compound,the disease, and its severity and the age, weight, etc., of the mammalto be treated.

Provided are compounds and compositions and/or methods for the treatmentand prophylaxis of viral infections, as well as diseases associated withviral infections in living hosts. In particular, provided are compoundsand compositions and/or methods for the treatment and prophylaxis ofhemorrhagic fever viruses, such as Arenaviruses.

In an embodiment, a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a viralinfection or disease associated therewith, comprising administering in atherapeutically effective amount to a mammal in need thereof, a compoundof Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided.In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition that comprises apharmaceutically-effective amount of the compound or apharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, and apharmaceutically-acceptable carrier is provided. In addition, compoundsof Formula I, as well as pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof areprovided.

The compounds of Formula I are of the following general formula:

-   Wherein R¹ and R² are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl,    alkynyl, cycloalkyl, arylalkyl, aryl, acyl, arylacyl, hydroxy,    alkyloxy, alkylthio, amino, alkylamino, acetamido, halogen, cyano or    nitro;-   R³ is hydrogen, acyl, arylacyl or sulfonyl; and-   Ar¹ and Ar² are independently (un)substituted aryl or heteroaryl

Exemplary compounds of Formula I are shown below:

Activity against Lassa Activity vs. GP-pseudotyped-virus LFV* No. EC₅₀(μM) specificity^(†) EC₅₀ (μM) T.I.** formula structure/name 6000370.016    900 <0.1 >400 C₂₂H₂₁N₃O₂

600137 >12  unknown n.d. n.d. C₂₃H₂₄N₄O

600144 11 >1   n.d. n.d. C₂₂H₂₂N₄

600145 0.04    300 n.d. n.d. C₂₁H₁₈N₃OBr

600146 0.3   >40  n.d. n.d. C₂₂H₂₁N₃O₂

600147 0.003  >4000 n.d. n.d. C₂₃H₂₃N₃O₂

600148  9 none n.d. n.d. C₂₂H₂₁N₃O₂

600149 0.06  >200  n.d. n.d. C₂₅H₂₁N₃O

600153 0.18  >60  n.d. n.d. C₂₁H₁₉N₃O₂

600169 0.02  >500  n.d. n.d. C₂₂H₂₁N₃O

600170 0.04  >200  n.d. n.d. C₂₁H₁₈N₃OCl

600172 0.7   >10  n.d. n.d. C₂₂H₂₃N₃O₃

600173 0.4   >30  n.d. n.d. C₂₀H₁₆N₃Br

600179 0.11  >100  n.d. n.d. C₃₀H₂₉N₃O₄S

600188 0.003  >4000 n.d. n.d. C₂₂H₂₁N₃O

600189 0.1     100 n.d. n.d. C₂₃H₂₃N₃O₃

600190  2    3 n.d. n.d. C₂₂H₂₁N₃O₂

600191 0.04  >300  n.d. n.d. C₂₂H₂₁N₃O₂

600192  5 none n.d. n.d. C₂₃H₂₃N₃O₃

600193 0.0011 13,000 <0.1 >400 C₂₄H₂₅N₃O

600196 0.03  >400  n.d. n.d. C₂₁H₁₉N₃O

600362 0.4      40 n.d. n.d. C₂₆H₂₇N₃O₂

600363 0.2     100 n.d. n.d. C₃₁H₃₁N₃O₃S

*Lassa fever virus plaque reduction (Josiah strain) performed underBSL-4 conditions ^(†)EC₅₀ ratio calculated as (EC₅₀ for negative control[VSV or Ebola, whichever was lower])/(EC₅₀ for Lassa) **T.I.(therapeutic index) is the ratio of cytotoxicity to effective anti-Lassaconcentrations (CC₅₀/EC₅₀) on Vero cells

The mammal being treated is typically a human. In particularembodiments, the viral infection being treated is a hemorrhagic fevervirus, such as an Arenavirus. The Arenavirus may be selected from thegroup consisting of Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Lassa, Tacaribe,and Pichinde.

Pharmaceutical Formulations of the Compounds

In general, compounds will be administered in atherapeutically-effective amount by any of the accepted modes ofadministration for these compounds. The compounds can be administered bya variety of routes, including, but not limited to, oral, parenteral(e.g., subcutaneous, subdural, intravenous, intramuscular, intrathecal,intraperitoneal, intracerebral, intraarterial, or intralesional routesof administration), topical, intranasal, localized (e.g., surgicalapplication or surgical suppository), rectal, and pulmonary (e.g.,aerosols, inhalation, or powder). Accordingly, these compounds areeffective as both injectable and oral compositions. The compounds can beadministered continuously by infusion or by bolus injection.

The actual amount of the compound, i.e., the active ingredient, willdepend on a number of factors, such as the severity of the disease,i.e., the condition or disease to be treated, age, and relative healthof the subject, the potency of the compound used, the route and form ofadministration, and other factors.

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of such compounds can be determined bystandard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimentalanimals, e.g., for determining the LD₅₀ (the dose lethal to 50% of thepopulation) and the ED₅₀ (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% ofthe population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects isthe therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD₅₀/ED₅₀.

The data obtained from the cell culture assays and animal studies can beused in formulating a range of dosage for use in humans. The dosage ofsuch compounds lies within a range of circulating concentrations thatinclude the ED₅₀ with little or no toxicity. The dosage may vary withinthis range depending upon the dosage form employed and the route ofadministration utilized. For any compound used, thetherapeutically-effective dose can be estimated initially from cellculture assays. A dose may be formulated in animal models to achieve acirculating plasma concentration range which includes the IC₅₀ (i.e.,the concentration of the test compound which achieves a half-maximalinhibition of symptoms) as determined in cell culture. Such informationcan be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans. Levelsin plasma may be measured, for example, by high performance liquidchromatography.

The amount of the pharmaceutical composition administered to the patientwill vary depending upon what is being administered, the purpose of theadministration, such as prophylaxis or therapy, the state of thepatient, the manner of administration, and the like. In therapeuticapplications, compositions are administered to a patient alreadysuffering from a disease in an amount sufficient to cure or at leastpartially arrest the symptoms of the disease and its complications. Anamount adequate to accomplish this is defined as“therapeutically-effective dose.” Amounts effective for this use willdepend on the disease condition being treated as well as by the judgmentof the attending clinician depending upon factors such as the severityof the inflammation, the age, weight, and general condition of thepatient, and the like.

The compositions administered to a patient are in the form ofpharmaceutical compositions described supra. These compositions may besterilized by conventional sterilization techniques, or may be sterilefiltered. The resulting aqueous solutions may be packaged for use as is,or lyophilized, the lyophilized preparation being combined with asterile aqueous carrier prior to administration. It will be understoodthat use of certain of the foregoing excipients, carriers, orstabilizers will result in the formation of pharmaceutical salts.

The active compound is effective over a wide dosage range and isgenerally administered in a pharmaceutically- ortherapeutically-effective amount. The therapeutic dosage of thecompounds will vary according to, for example, the particular use forwhich the treatment is made, the manner of administration of thecompound, the health and condition of the patient, and the judgment ofthe prescribing physician. For example, for intravenous administration,the dose will typically be in the range of about 0.5 mg to about 100 mgper kilogram body weight. Effective doses can be extrapolated fromdose-response curves derived from in vitro or animal model test systems.Typically, the clinician will administer the compound until a dosage isreached that achieves the desired effect.

When employed as pharmaceuticals, the compounds are usually administeredin the form of pharmaceutical compositions. Pharmaceutical compositionscontain as the active ingredient one or more of the compounds above,associated with one or more pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers orexcipients. The excipient employed is typically one suitable foradministration to human subjects or other mammals. In making thecompositions, the active ingredient is usually mixed with an excipientdiluted by an excipient, or enclosed within a carrier which can be inthe form of a capsule, sachet, paper or other container. When theexcipient serves as a diluent, it can be a solid, semi-solid, or liquidmaterial, which acts as a vehicle, carrier, or medium for the activeingredient. Thus, the compositions can be in the form of tablets, pills,powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions,solutions, syrups, aerosols (as a solid or in a liquid medium),ointments containing, for example, up to 10% by weight of the activecompound, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterileinjectable solutions, and sterile packaged powders.

In preparing a formulation, it may be necessary to mill the activecompound to provide the appropriate particle size prior to combiningwith the other ingredients. If the active compound is substantiallyinsoluble, it ordinarily is milled to a particle size of less than 200mesh. If the active compound is substantially water soluble, theparticle size is normally adjusted by milling to provide a substantiallyuniform distribution in the formulation, e.g., about 40 mesh.

Some examples of suitable excipients include lactose, dextrose, sucrose,sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates,tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose,polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose, sterile water, syrup, and methylcellulose. The formulations can additionally include: lubricating agentssuch as talc, magnesium stearate, and mineral oil; wetting agents;emulsifying and suspending agents; preserving agents such as methyl- andpropylhydroxy-benzoates; sweetening agents; and flavoring agents. Thecompositions of the invention can be formulated so as to provide quick,sustained, or delayed-release of the active ingredient afteradministration to the patient by employing procedures known in the art

The quantity of active compound in the pharmaceutical composition andunit dosage form thereof may be varied or adjusted widely depending uponthe particular application, the manner or introduction, the potency ofthe particular compound, and the desired concentration. The term “unitdosage forms” refers to physically-discrete units suitable as unitarydosages for human subjects and other mammals, each unit containing apredetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce thedesired therapeutic effect, in association with a suitablepharmaceutical excipient.

The compound can be formulated for parenteral administration in asuitable inert carrier, such as a sterile physiological saline solution.The dose administered will be determined by route of administration.

Administration of therapeutic agents by intravenous formulation is wellknown in the pharmaceutical industry. An intravenous formulation shouldpossess certain qualities aside from being just a composition in whichthe therapeutic agent is soluble. For example, the formulation shouldpromote the overall stability of the active ingredient(s), also, themanufacture of the formulation should be cost-effective. All of thesefactors ultimately determine the overall success and usefulness of anintravenous formulation.

Other accessory additives that may be included in pharmaceuticalformulations and compounds as follow: solvents: ethanol, glycerol,propylene glycol; stabilizers: EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid),citric acid; antimicrobial preservatives: benzyl alcohol, methylparaben, propyl paraben; buffering agents: citric acid/sodium citrate,potassium hydrogen tartrate, sodium hydrogen tartrate, aceticacid/sodium acetate, maleic acid/sodium maleate, sodium hydrogenphthalate, phosphoric acid/potassium dihydrogen phosphate, phosphoricacid/disodium hydrogen phosphate; and tonicity modifiers: sodiumchloride, mannitol, dextrose.

The presence of a buffer is necessary to maintain the aqueous pH in therange of from about 4 to about 8. The buffer system is generally amixture of a weak acid and a soluble salt thereof, e.g., sodiumcitrate/citric acid; or the monocation or dication salt of a dibasicacid, e.g., potassium hydrogen tartrate; sodium hydrogen tartrate,phosphoric acid/potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and phosphoricacid/disodium hydrogen phosphate.

The amount of buffer system used is dependent on (1) the desired pH; and(2) the amount of drug. Generally, the amount of buffer used is in a0.5:1 to 50:1 mole ratio of buffenalendronate (where the moles of bufferare taken as the combined moles of the buffer ingredients, e.g., sodiumcitrate and citric acid) of formulation to maintain a pH in the range of4 to 8 and generally, a 1:1 to 10:1 mole ratio of buffer (combined) todrug present is used.

A useful buffer is sodium citrate/citric acid in the range of 5 to 50 mgper ml. sodium citrate to 1 to 15 mg per ml. citric acid, sufficient tomaintain an aqueous pH of 4-6 of the composition.

The buffer agent may also be present to prevent the precipitation of thedrug through soluble metal complex formation with dissolved metal ions,e.g., Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Ba, which may leach out of glass containers orrubber stoppers or be present in ordinary tap water. The agent may actas a competitive complexing agent with the drug and produce a solublemetal complex leading to the presence of undesirable particulates.

In addition, the presence of an agent, e.g., sodium chloride in anamount of about of 1-8 mg/ml, to adjust the tonicity to the same valueof human blood may be required to avoid the swelling or shrinkage oferythrocytes upon administration of the intravenous formulation leadingto undesirable side effects such as nausea or diarrhea and possibly toassociated blood disorders. In general, the tonicity of the formulationmatches that of human blood which is in the range of 282 to 288 mOsm/kg,and in general is 285 mOsm/kg, which is equivalent to the osmoticpressure corresponding to a 0.9% solution of sodium chloride.

An intravenous formulation can be administered by direct intravenousinjection, i.v. bolus, or can be administered by infusion by addition toan appropriate infusion solution such as 0.9% sodium chloride injectionor other compatible infusion solution.

The compositions are preferably formulated in a unit dosage form, eachdosage containing from about 5 to about 100 mg, more usually about 10 toabout 30 mg, of the active ingredient. The term “unit dosage forms”refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages forhuman subjects and other mammals, each unit containing a predeterminedquantity of active material calculated to produce the desiredtherapeutic effect, in association with a suitable pharmaceuticalexcipient.

The active compound is effective over a wide dosage range and isgenerally administered in a pharmaceutically effective amount. It willbe understood, however, that the amount of the compound actuallyadministered will be determined by a physician, in the light of therelevant circumstances, including the condition to be treated, thechosen route of administration, the actual compound administered, theage, weight, and response of the individual patient, the severity of thepatient's symptoms, and the like.

For preparing solid compositions such as tablets, the principal activeingredient is mixed with a pharmaceutical excipient to form a solidpreformulation composition containing a homogeneous mixture of acompound of the present invention. When referring to thesepreformulation compositions as homogeneous, it is meant that the activeingredient is dispersed evenly throughout the composition so that thecomposition may be readily subdivided into equally effective unit dosageforms such as tablets, pills and capsules. This solid preformulation isthen subdivided into unit dosage forms of the type described abovecontaining from, for example, 0.1 to about 2000 mg of the activeingredient.

The tablets or pills may be coated or otherwise compounded to provide adosage form affording the advantage of prolonged action. For example,the tablet or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosagecomponent, the latter being in the form of an envelope over the former.The two components can be separated by an enteric layer which serves toresist disintegration in the stomach and permit the inner component topass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety ofmaterials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, suchmaterials including a number of polymeric acids and mixtures ofpolymeric acids with such materials as shellac, cetyl alcohol, andcellulose acetate.

The liquid forms in which the novel compositions may be incorporated foradministration orally or by injection include aqueous solutions suitablyflavored syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavored emulsions withedible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, or peanutoil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles.

Compositions for inhalation or insufflation include solutions andsuspensions in pharmaceutically-acceptable, aqueous or organic solvents,or mixtures thereof, and powders. The liquid or solid compositions maycontain suitable pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients as describedsupra. Compositions in pharmaceutically-acceptable solvents may benebulized by use of inert gases. Nebulized solutions may be breatheddirectly from the nebulizing device or the nebulizing device may beattached tea face masks tent, or intermittent positive pressurebreathing machine. Solution, suspension, or powder compositions may beadministered from devices which deliver the formulation in anappropriate manner.

The compounds can be administered in a sustained release form. Suitableexamples of sustained-release preparations include semipermeablematrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the protein, whichmatrices are in the form of shaped articles, e.g., films, ormicrocapsules. Examples of sustained-release matrices includepolyesters, hydrogels (e.g., poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate) asdescribed by Langer et al., J. Biomed. Mater. Res. 15: 167-277 (1981)and Langer, Chem. Tech. 12: 98-105 (1982) or poly(vinyl alcohol)),polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,919), copolymers of L-glutamic add andgamma ethyl-L-glutamate (Sidman et al., Biopolymers 22: 547-556, 1983),non-degradable ethylene-vinyl acetate (Langer et al, supra), degradablelactic acid-glycolic acid copolymers such as the LUPRON DEPOT™ (i.e.,injectable microspheres composed of lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymerand leuprolide acetate), and poly-D-(−)-3-hydroxybutyric acid (EP133,988).

The compounds can be administered in a sustained-release form, forexample a depot injection, implant preparation, or osmotic pump, whichcan be formulated in such a manner as to permit a sustained-release ofthe active ingredient. Implants for sustained-release formulations arewell-known in the art. Implants may be formulated as, including but notlimited to, microspheres, slabs, with biodegradable or non-biodegradablepolymers. For example, polymers of lactic acid and/or glycolic acid forman erodible polymer that is well-tolerated by the host. The implant isplaced in proximity to the site of protein deposits (e.g., the site offormation of amyloid deposits associated with neurodegenerativedisorders), so that the local concentration of active agent is increasedat that site relative to the rest of the body.

The following formulation examples illustrate pharmaceuticalcompositions.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 1

Hard gelatin capsules containing the following ingredients are prepared:

Quantity Ingredient (mg/capsule) Active Ingredient 30.0 Starch 305.0Magnesium stearate 5.0The above ingredients are mixed and filled into hard gelatin capsules in340 mg quantities.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 2

A tablet formula is prepared using the ingredients below:

Quantity Ingredient (mg/capsule) Active Ingredient 25.0 Cellulose,microcrystalline 200.0 Colloidal silicon dioxide 10.0 Stearic acid 5.0The components are blended and compressed to form tablets, each weighing240 mg.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 3

A dry powder inhaler formulation is prepared containing the followingcomponents:

Ingredient Weight % Active Ingredient 5 Lactose 95The active mixture is mixed with the lactose and the mixture is added toa dry powder inhaling appliance.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 4

Tablets, each containing 30 mg of active ingredient, are prepared asfollows:

Quantity Ingredient (mg/capsule) Active Ingredient 30.0 mg Starch 45.0mg Microcrystalline cellulose 35.0 mg Polyvinylpyrrolidone 4.0 mg (as10% solution in water) Sodium Carboxymethyl starch 4.5 mg Magnesiumstearate 0.5 mg Talc 1.0 mg Total 120 mg

The active ingredient, starch, and cellulose are passed through a No. 20mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The solution ofpolyvinyl-pyrrolidone is mixed with the resultant powders, which arethen passed through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced aredried at 50° to 60° C. and passed through a 16 mesh U.S. sieve. Thesodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate, and talc, previouslypassed through a No. 30 mesh U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules,which after mixing, are compressed on a tablet machine to yield tabletseach weighing 150 mg.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 5

Capsules, each containing 40 mg of medicament, are made as follows:

Quantity Ingredient (mg/capsule) Active Ingredient  40.0 mg Starch 109.0mg Magnesium stearate  1.0 mg Total 150.0 mgThe active ingredient, cellulose, starch, an magnesium stearate areblended, passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hardgelatin capsules in 150 mg quantities.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 6

Suppositories, each containing 25 mg of active ingredient, are made asfollows:

Ingredient Amount Active Ingredient 25 mg Saturated fatty acidsglycerides to 2,000 mgThe active ingredient is passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve andsuspended in the saturated fatty acid glycerides previously melted usingthe minimum heat necessary. The mixture is then poured into asuppository mold of nominal 2.0 g capacity and allowed to cool.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 7

Suspensions, each containing 50 mg of medicament per 5.0 ml dose, aremade as follows:

Ingredient Amount Active Ingredient 50.0 mg Xanthan gum 4.0 mg Sodiumcarboxymethyl cellose (11%) 500 mg Microcrystalline cellulose (89%)Sucrose 1.75 g Sodium benzoate 10.0 mg Flavor and color q.v. Purifiedwater to 5.0 mlThe medicament, sucrose, and xanthan gum are blended, passed through aNo. 10 mesh U.S. sieve, and then mixed with a previously made solutionof the microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose inwater. The sodium benzoate, flavor, and color are diluted with some ofthe water and added with stirring. Sufficient water is then added toproduce the required volume.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 8

Hard gelatin tablets, each containing 15 mg of active ingredient, aremade as follows:

Quantity Ingredient (mg/capsule) Active Ingredient 15.0 mg Starch 407.0mg Magnesium stearate 3.0 mg Total 425.0 mgThe active ingredient, cellulose, starch, and magnesium stearate areblended, passed through a No. 20 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hardgelatin capsules in 560 mg quantities.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 9

An intravenous formulation may be prepared as follows:

Ingredient Quantity Active Ingredient 250.0 mg Isotonic saline 1000 mlTherapeutic compound compositions generally are placed into a containerhaving a sterile access port, for example, an intravenous solution bagor vial having a stopper pierceable by a hypodermic injection needle orsimilar sharp instrument.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 10

A topical formulation may be prepared as follows:

Ingredient Quantity Active Ingredient 1-10 g Emulsifying Wax 30 g LiquidParaffin 20 g White Soft Paraffin to 100 gThe white soft paraffin is heated until molten. The liquid paraffin andemulsifying wax are incorporated and stirred until dissolved. The activeingredient is added and stirring is continued until dispersed. Themixture is then cooled until solid.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE 11

An aerosol formulation may be prepared as follows: A solution of thecandidate compound in 0.5% sodium bicarbonate/saline (w/v) at aconcentration of 30.0 mg/mL is prepared using the following procedure:

Preparation of 0.5% Sodium Bicarbonate/Saline Stock Solution: 100.0 mL

Ingredient Gram/100.0 mL Final Concentration Sodium Bicarbonate 0.5 g0.5% Saline q.s. ad 100.0 mL q.s. ad 100%

Procedure:

-   1. Add 0.5 g sodium bicarbonate into a 100 mL volumetric flask.-   2. Add approximately 90.0 ml saline and sonicate until dissolved.-   3. Q.S. to 100.0 mL with saline and mix thoroughly.

Preparation of 30.0 mg/mL Candidate Compound: 10.0 mL

Ingredient Gram/10.0 mL Final Concentration Candidate Compound 0.300 g30.0 mg/mL 0.5% Sodium Bicarbonate/ q.s. ad 10.0 mL q.s ad 100% SalineStock Solution

Procedure:

-   -   1. Add 0.300 g of the candidate compound into a 10.0 mL        volumetric flask.    -   2. Add approximately 9.7 mL of 0.5% sodium bicarbonate/saline        stock solution.    -   3. Sonicate until the candidate compound is completely        dissolved.    -   4. Q.S. to 10.0 mL with 0.5% sodium bicarbonate/saline stock        solution and mix

Transdermal delivery devices (“patches”) may also be employed. Suchtransdermal patches may be used to provide continuous or discontinuousinfusion of the compounds in controlled amounts. The construction anduse of transdermal patches for the delivery of pharmaceutical agents iswell known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,252, issued Jun.11, 1991, herein incorporated by reference. Such patches may beconstructed for continuous, pulsatile, or on-demand delivery ofpharmaceutical agents.

Direct or indirect placement techniques may be used when it is desirableor necessary to introduce the pharmaceutical composition to the brain.Direct techniques usually involve placement of a drug delivery catheterinto the host's ventricular system to bypass the blood-brain barrier.One such implantable delivery system used for the transport ofbiological factors to specific anatomical regions of the body isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,472, which is herein incorporated byreference.

Indirect techniques usually involve formulating the compositions toprovide for drug latentiation by the conversion of hydrophilic drugsinto lipid-soluble drugs. Latentiation is generally achieved throughblocking of the hydroxy, carbonyl, sulfate, and primary amine groupspresent on the drug to render the drug more lipid-soluble and amenableto transportation across the blood-brain barrier. Alternatively, thedelivery of hydrophilic drugs may be enhanced by intra-arterial infusionof hypertonic solutions which can transiently open the blood-brainbarrier.

In order to enhance serum half-life, the compounds may be encapsulated,introduced into the lumen of liposomes, prepared as a colloid, or otherconventional techniques may be employed which provide an extended serumhalf-life of the compounds. A variety of methods are available forpreparing liposomes, as described in, e.g., Szoka et al., U.S. Pat. Nos.4,235,871, 4,501,728 and 4,837,028 each of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

Pharmaceutical compositions are suitable for use in a variety of drugdelivery systems. Suitable formulations for use in the present inventionare found in Remingto's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mace PublishingCompany, Philadelphia, Pa., 17th ed. (1985).

The provided compounds and pharmaceutical compositions show biologicalactivity in treating and preventing viral infections and associateddiseases, and, accordingly, have utility in treating viral infectionsand associated diseases, such as Hemorrhagic fever viruses, in mammalsincluding humans.

Hemorrhagic fever viruses (HFVs) are RNA viruses that cause a variety ofdisease syndromes with similar clinical characteristics. HFVs that areof concern as potential biological weapons include but are not limitedto: Arenaviridae (Junin, Machupo, Guanarito, Sabia, Lassa, and LCMV),Filoviridae (Ebola and Marburg viruses), Flaviviridae (yellow fever,Omsk hemorrhagic fever and Kyasanur Forest disease viruses), andBunyaviridae (Rift Valley fever). The naturally-occurring arenavirusesand potential engineered arenaviruses are included in the Category APathogen list according to the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention as being among those agents that have greatest potential formass casualties.

Risk factors include: travel to Africa or Asia, handling of animalcarcasses, contact with infected animals or people, and/or arthropodbites. Arenaviruses are highly infectious after direct contact withinfected blood and/or bodily secretions. Humans usually become infectedthrough contact with infected rodents, the bite of an infectedarthropod, direct contact with animal carcasses, inhalation ofinfectious rodent excreta and/or injection of food contaminated withrodent excreta. The Tacaribe virus has been associated with bats.Airborne transmission of hemorrhagic fever is another mode, but somewhatless common. Person-to-person contact may also occur in some cases.

All of the hemorrhagic fevers exhibit similar clinical symptoms.However, in general the clinical manifestations are non-specific andvariable. The incubation period is approximately 7-14 days. The onset isgradual with fever and malaise, tachypnea, relative bradycardia,hypotension, circulatory shock, conjeunctival injection, pharyngitis,lymphadenopathy, encephalitis, myalgia, back pain, headache anddizziness, as well as hyperesthesia of the skin. Some infected patientsmay not develop hemorrhagic manifestations.

Methods of diagnosis at specialized laboratories include antigendetection by antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),IgM antibody detection by antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), andviral isolation. Antigen detection (by enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay) and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction are the mostuseful diagnostic techniques in the acute clinical setting. Viralisolation is of limited value because it requires a biosafety level 4(BSL-4) laboratory.

EXAMPLES

Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used(e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.) but some experimental errors anddeviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, partsare parts by weight, molecular weight is weight average molecularweight, temperature is in degrees Centigrade, and pressure is at or nearatmospheric.

Synthesis of Compounds

The compounds are readily prepared via several divergent syntheticroutes with the particular route selected relative to the ease ofcompound preparation, the commercial availability of starting materials,and the like.

The compounds can be prepared from readily-available starting materialsusing the following general methods and procedures. It will beappreciated that where process conditions (i.e., reaction temperatures,times, mole ratios of reactants, solvents, pressures, etc.) are given,other process conditions can also be used unless otherwise stated.Optimum reaction conditions may vary with the particular reactants orsolvent used, but such conditions can be determined by one skilled inthe art by routine optimization procedures.

Additionally, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art,conventional protecting groups may be necessary to prevent certainfunctional groups from undergoing undesired reactions. Suitableprotecting groups for various functional groups as well as suitableconditions for protecting and deprotecting particular functional groupsare well known in the art. For example, numerous protecting groups aredescribed in T. W. Greene and G. M. Wuts, Protecting Groups in OrganicSynthesis, Second Edition, Wiley, New York, 1991, and references citedtherein.

Furthermore, the compounds will typically contain one or more chiralcenters. Accordingly, if desired, such compounds can be prepared orisolated as pure stereoisomers, i.e., as individual enantiomers ordiastereomers, or as stereoisomer-enriched mixtures. All suchstereoisomers (and enriched mixtures) are included unless otherwiseindicated. Pure stereoisomers (or enriched mixtures) may be preparedusing, for example, optically-active starting materials orstereoselective reagents well-known in the art. Alternatively, racemicmixtures of such compounds can be separated using, for example, chiralcolumn chromatography, chiral resolving agents, and the like.

Unless otherwise indicated, the products are a mixture of R, Senantiomers. However, when a chiral product is desired, the chiralproduct can be obtained via purification techniques which separateenantiomers from a R, S mixture to provide for one or the otherstereoisomer. Such techniques are known in the art.

In another embodiment, the compounds can be provided as pro-drugs whichconvert (e.g., hydrolyze, metabolize, etc.) in vivo to a compound above.

In the examples below, if an abbreviation is not defined above, it hasits generally accepted meaning. Further, all temperatures are in degreesCelsius (unless otherwise indicated). The following Methods were used toprepare the compounds set forth below as indicated.

Example 1 General Synthetic Procedure

Step 1:

To a solution of dinitrofluorobenzene (251 μl, 2 mmol) in THF (2 ml) wasadded cesium carbonate (780 mg, 2.4 mmol) and aniline (H₂N—Ar¹, 2 mmol).The mixture was heated to 48° C. overnight. The reaction was cooled toroom temperature and filtered through a pre-packed 5 g silica cartridgeand eluted with EtOAc (˜15 ml). The solvent was removed in vacuo and thecrude material was carried forward without purification.

Step 2:

To a solution of crude starting material from step 1 in EtOAc was addeda scoop of 10% Pd/C (˜50 mg). The vial was sealed, flushed with Argon,and then placed under H₂ balloon. The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature overnight. The reaction mixture was filtered through a padof Celite and eluted with EtOAc. The solvent was removed in vacuo andcrude material was carried forward without purification.

Step 3:

The crude material from step 2 was suspended in 4N HCl (2 ml) and formicacid (0.5 ml). The mixture was heated to 100° C. for 1.5 hours. Thereaction was cooled to room temperature and 5 N NaOH was added to adjustpH to ˜13. The mixture was extracted with DCM (3×5 ml). The combinedorganic layers were dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and solvent evaporatedin vacuo to give the crude product that was carried forward withoutpurification.

Step 4:

To a solution of crude starting material from step 3 in DCM (3 ml) wasadded aldehyde (Ar²—CHO, 2 mmol) and Na(OAc)₃BH (630 mg, 3 mmol). Thereaction was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 hours (when reactionwas complete by TLC). The crude reaction mixture was filtered and loadedonto a 40 g RediSep silica-gel cartridge and eluted with a gradient ofEtOAc in hexanes to yield the final product. The identity was confirmedby LC-MS and ¹H NMR and purity confirmed by HPLC.

Example 2 Synthesis of(4-isopropyl-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine

The compound was synthesized according to the General Proceduredescribed above. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 7.94 (s, 1H), 7.39 (m, 4H),7.24 (m, 4H), 7.04 (m, 3H), 6.74 (dd, 1H), 4.38 (s, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H),2.93 (septet, 1H), 1.27 (d, 6H). ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 159.04,147.92, 145.19, 144.95, 142.03, 136.80, 129.57, 127.71, 127.43, 126.69,125.31, 115.04, 112.73, 110.74, 101.83, 55.64, 48.99, 33.83, 24.05.

SUMMARY OF THE ASSAYS USED FOR DISCOVERY

Work with Lassa fever virus presents significant logistical and safetyissues due to the requirement for maximum laboratory containment(BSL-4). Therefore, surrogate assays for anti-Lassa fever virus activitywere developed that would be suitable for evaluating large numbers ofcompounds under less-restrictive BSL-2 laboratory conditions. One suchassay was developed to identify compounds that can block Lassa virusentry into the host cell. This assay uses only the envelope glycoproteinfrom Lassa fever virus, not the virus itself, and thus can safely beperformed under normal BSL-2 conditions. The viral entry step is anattractive target for the development of antiviral pharmaceuticals,because it is an essential component of every viral life cycle. Inaddition, the antiviral targets, the interaction between the viralenvelope and the host cell and subsequent structural rearrangement ofthe envelope, are specific to the virus. Thus, effective inhibitors areless likely to interfere with host processes.

Viral pseudotypes, which are generated by cotransfection of the Lassaenvelope and a replication-defective HIV provirus with a luciferasereporter, are used to assess Lassa envelope function. The provirus isengineered so that the HIV envelope is not expressed, and thusheterologous viral envelope proteins are acquired as budding viralparticles nonspecifically capture cell surface proteins. Pseudotypesprepared in this manner will infect cells via the heterologous envelopeand are commonly used to assay functions of the heterologOus envelope(2, 9, 26, 31, 33) Infection is measured by the luciferase signalproduced from the integrated HIV reporter construct. The amount ofinfectious virus used to infect a cell culture line is directlyproportional, over several orders of magnitude, to theluciferase-mediated luminescence produced in the infected cells. Thisassay was the basis of a high-throughput screen for Lassa virus entryinhibitors, against which a library of some 400,000 small moleculecompounds was tested. Compounds that inhibited luciferase activity by atleast 75% were subjected to a secondary specificity counter-screen, inwhich a second pseudotype using the unrelated Ebola virus glycoproteinwas used as a specificity control. Compounds that inhibited both typesof pseudotypes are likely either toxic to the cells or target the HIVplatform, and were thus rejected. The remaining pool of compoundsmeeting these criteria (about 300-400) were further investigated forchemical tractability, potency, and selectivity.

Initially, the chemical structures of the hit compounds were examinedfor chemical tractability. A chemically tractable compound is defined asone that is synthetically accessible using reasonable chemicalmethodology, and which possesses chemically stable functionalities andpotential drug-like qualities. Hits that passed this medicinal chemistryfilter were evaluated for their potency. Compound potency was determinedby evaluating inhibitory activity across a broad range ofconcentrations. Nonlinear regression was used to generate best-fitinhibition curves and to calculate the 50% effective concentration(EC₅₀). The selectivity or specificity of a given compound is typicallyexpressed as a ratio of its cytotoxicity to its biological effect. Acell proliferation assay is used to calculate a 50% cytotoxicityconcentration (CC₅₀); the ratio of this value to the EC₅₀ is referred toas the therapeutic index (T.I.=CC₅₀/EC₅₀). Two types of assays have beenused to determine cytotoxicity, both of which are standard methods forquantitating the reductase activity produced in metabolically activecells (28). One is a colorimetric method that measures the reduction of3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), andthe other uses fluorimetry to measure the reduction of resazurin (AlamarBlue). Selectivity could be further characterized by assessing theinhibitory action against viruses pseudotyped with unrelated viralenvelopes. The EC₅₀ for hit compounds was determined for HIV pseudotypesbearing one of three different viral envelopes: Lassa, Ebola, andvesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). The ratio between EC₅₀s thus became aquantitative measure of compound specificity, and compounds with ratiosless than 80 were rejected.

Twenty-five quality Lassa hits were discovered in the pool of initialhits from the pseudotype screening, all with EC₅₀ values below 1.8 μM.Ten of these compounds had EC₅₀s below 100 nM. Verification that thesecompounds act against authentic Lassa fever virus was done incollaboration with Dr. Mary Guttieri at the U.S. Army Medical ResearchInstitute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) in Frederick, Md. Thisinvolved a series of plaque reduction experiments performed In a BSL-4facility, using the Josiah strain of Lassa fever virus. The EC₅₀ iscalculated as above by charting the reduction in the number of plaquesas a function of compound concentration.

Compound ST-600037 was identified as one of the most potent andselective compounds from within the pool of 25 quality hits, in both theviral pseudotype assay and the Lassa fever virus plaque reduction assay.Chemical analogs of this compound were obtained from commercial vendorsor were synthesized, and these analogs were tested as described in orderto define the relationship between chemical structure and biologicalactivity. Several of these analogs, in particular ST-600193, displayedenhanced potency and selectivity relative to ST-600037. In addition,ST-600193 is also a potent inhibitor of pseudotyped viral infectionmediated by the envelopes of the New World arenaviruses Guanarito(EC₅₀<1 nM) and Tacaribe (EC₅₀=4 nM), demonstrating that this compoundseries may have utility for the treatment of arenavirus diseases otherthan Lassa fever.

All references cited herein are herein incorporated by reference intheir entirety for all purposes.

We claim:
 1. A composition comprising a compound of Formula I

wherein R^(l) and R² are independently hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl,alkynyl, cycloalkyl, arylalkyl, aryl, acyl, arylacyl, hydroxy, alkyloxy,alkylthio, amino, alkylamino, acetamido, halogen, cyano or nitro; R³ ishydrogen, acyl, arylacyl or sulfonyl; and Ar¹ and Ar² are independently(un)substituted aryl and a pharmaceutically acceptable carriertherefore.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein R¹ is hydrogen.
 3. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein R² is hydrogen.
 4. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein R³ is hydrogen.
 5. The composition of claim 1, whereinR³ is —S(O)₂-substituted aryl.
 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein R³is —S(O)₂-substituted phenyl.
 7. The composition of claim 6, wherein R³is —S(O)₂-alkoxyphenyl.
 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein R³ is—S(O)₂-methoxyphenyl.
 9. The composition of claim 8, wherein R³ is—S(O)₂-p-methoxyphenyl.
 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein Ar¹ isunsubstituted aryl.
 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein Ar¹ isunsubstituted phenyl.
 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein Ar¹ ismono-substituted aryl.
 13. The composition of claim 1, wherein Ar¹ ismono-substituted phenyl.
 14. The composition of claim 13 wherein Ar¹ isalkoxyphenyl.
 15. The composition of claim 14 wherein Ar¹ ismethoxyphenyl.
 16. The composition of claim 15, wherein Ar¹ iso-methoxyphenyl.
 17. The composition of claim 15, wherein Ar¹ isp-methoxyphenyl.
 18. The composition of claim 1, wherein Ar² issubstituted aryl.
 19. The composition of claim 18, wherein Ar² issubstituted phenyl.
 20. The composition of claim 19, wherein Ar² ismono-substituted phenyl.
 21. The composition of claim 20, wherein Ar² isalkoxyphenyl.
 22. The composition of claim 21, wherein Ar² ismethoxyphenyl.
 23. The composition of claim 22, wherein Ar² iso-methoxyphenyl.
 24. The composition of claim 22, wherein Ar² ism-methoxyphenyl.
 25. The composition of claim 22, wherein Ar² isp-methoxyphenyl.
 26. The composition of claim 21, wherein Ar² isethoxyphenyl.
 27. The composition of claim 26, wherein Ar² isp-ethoxyphenyl.
 28. The composition of claim 19, wherein Ar² isalkylphenyl.
 29. The composition of claim 28, wherein Ar² ismethylphenyl.
 30. The composition of claim 29, wherein Ar² isp-methylphenyl.
 31. The composition of claim 28, wherein Ar² ispropylphenyl.
 32. The composition of claim 31, wherein Ar² isp-propylphenyl.
 33. The composition of claim 32, wherein Ar² isp-isopropylphenyl.
 34. The composition of claim 1, wherein Ar² ishalo-substituted phenyl.
 35. The composition of claim 28, wherein Ar² isp-halo-substituted phenyl.
 36. The composition of claim 35, wherein Ar²is p-bromophenyl.
 37. The composition of claim 36, wherein Ar² isp-chlorophenyl.
 38. The composition of claim 20, wherein Ar² ishydroxyphenyl.
 39. The composition of claim 38, wherein Ar² iso-hydroxyphenyl.
 40. The composition of claim 20, wherein Ar² isdimethylaminophenyl.
 41. The composition of claim 40, wherein Ar² isp-dimethylaminophenyl.
 42. The composition of claim 20, wherein Ar² is—S(O)₂-substituted aryl.
 43. The composition of claim 42, wherein Ar² is—S(O)₂-substituted phenyl.
 44. The composition of claim 43, wherein Ar²is —S(O)₂-alkoxyphenyl.
 45. The composition of claim 38, wherein Ar² is—S(O)₂-methoxyphenyl.
 46. The composition of claim 45, wherein Ar² is—S(O)₂-p-methoxyphenyl.
 47. The composition of claim 19, wherein Ar² isdiphenyl.
 48. The composition of claim 1, wherein compound of Formula Iis selected from the group consisting of(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(4-Dimethylamino-benzyl)-[1-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(4-Dimethylamino-benzyl)-(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-amine,(4-Dimethylamino-benzyl)-(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-amine,(4-Bromo-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(2-Methoxy-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(4-Ethoxy-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(2-Methoxy-benzyl)-[1-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,[1-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-amine,(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-(1-p-tolyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-amine,(4-Chloro-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(3,4-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(4-Bromo-benzyl)-(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-amine,N-(4-Ethoxy-benzyl)-N-[1-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide,[1-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-(4-methyl-benzyl)-amine,(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-[1-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(3-Methoxy-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(2,3-Dimethoxy-benzyl)-[1-(2-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine,(4-Methoxy-benzyl)-(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl)-amine,N-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-N-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-acetamide,andN-(4-Isopropyl-benzyl)-N-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide.49. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compound of Formula I is(4-isopropyl-benzyl)-[1-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]-amine.